Listen To Me

chapter 10 ⋆ blackmail me

Noel

Jax isn't in Sociology class again, but I know why. He has a music lesson.

Our communication is improving by the day, as Jax and I learn the ins and outs of each other. That's what I love about relationships. Having your person means learning them intimately, emotionally. As I listen to our teacher discourse about Nietzsche, my thoughts float back to Jax's sweet smile. He always knows how to make me feel better.

Our first date picnic soured the relationship a little. But dates became a frivolity afterwards. Jax and I don't need big days to celebrate; we content ourselves with tiny moments spent together, mostly in my room. We watch movies, talk, eat food together, sing together. Our relationship is bliss.

I feel the person behind me edge their desk closer to my chair, and my heart stills in my chest. Arden is off school today, and Jax is gone. Then who's sitting in Jax's seat?

"Noel." a vaguely familiar voice whispers lazily. Its owner's nose trails down the back of my hair, brushing against my neck. I jerk away, my heart hammering in my chest.

I turn, wide-eyed to see Mason lounging behind me. He smirks at me, like he hasn't just invaded my personal space. I force myself to calm down, but my breath is still pattering away at my throat. Like a bird with a broken wing, fighting its way out of my chest.

I glare at Mason coldly, drawing my shield of ice around me. "What do you think you're doing?"

Mason sighs. "It's a shame you fell so far, Noel. You were doing so good at the start of freshman year. Head cheerleader and everything, right?"

"Shut up, Mason." I bite out, squeezing my eyes closed. Thinking about everything I left behind hurts.

Mason smirks. "So does Jax know?" he says lazily, pointing his finger at me.

I frown. "Know what?"

"Row upon row of bottles, huh? If any of the teachers find out about your alcohol stash, it would be an instant expulsion." Mason comments, his smirk widening his mouth. He tilts his chair back, greedily drinking in the worry on my face.

I glare at him. "That's blackmail, you dickhead."

"I don't think you have a leg to stand on, bitch." Mason scoffs. "I still remember that Maisie Andrews stumbled upon your alcohol stash, because she was going to put itching powder all over your stuff."

"Like the bullies you are." I roll my eyes.

Mason laughs, like he's proud of that title. "You kept your secret quietly. But not well enough."

I sigh in defeat, pushing my Sociology books away from me. "What do you want for this shit, Mason?"

Mason tugs at his helix piercing, a shit-eating smile on his face as he tells me, "You're breaking up with Jax, capiche?"

My jaw hangs open. "What the hell? Why do you want me to do that?"

Mason shrugs. "Because I'm an asshole, obviously. Now do what I say, or your secret goes in about... ten minutes. I'm feeling generous."

"It's an alcohol cabinet, not a drug stash." I scoff, ignoring the panic surging up my chest. Our school is ultra-specific about alcohol in its policies. If I get found with a massive volume of alcohol while I'm still underage, I'm a dead girl walking. Expulsion would be the least of my problems.

Mason smiles widely, and I understand. He knows all of my fears, because Mason planned this. During this past idyllic month with Jax, I thought I was safe. But Mason was lying in wait until he found the perfect moment to pounce. And I'm still here, waiting dumbly in his path.